I would suggest going to some of the food markets that are very different from anywhere else in the US I can think of: Fairway, the one nearby with the Italian name that starts with "A" (I'm having a senior moment) and Zabar's. Fairway is maybe 73rd and Broadway and a great source of yummy stuff to eat if you don't want to go out.

<i>the one nearby with the Italian name that starts with &quot;A&quot; </i>

Is it possible you mean D'Agostino?

Ackislander, do you mean Citarella (on the same block as Fairway) or Balducci's (on 67th? street)

(OK, you said an &quot;a&quot; and I gave you a &quot;b&quot; and a &quot;c&quot;)

For dessert, Edgar's.

I know your trip is over, but for futures, chocolate chip walnut cookies at Levain.
http://www.levainbakery.com/product.html

&quot;I too would be interested if anyone knows about the Plaza reopening - any scoop?&quot;

It looked nowhere near being in a state to reopen a couple of weeks ago, and most certainly didn't open on December 3.

But you do have to wonder about some American &quot;newspapers&quot;, though. The LA Times - which no doubt some poor fools think is a serious publication - stated baldly <b> on November 28!!! </b> &quot; [the] Plaza Hotel is expected to reopen by the end of this month&quot;.

USA Today thinks it'll reopen in January.

Dear Nyer,

You are of course right about Citarella (I got the Italian name right, at least!). I knew the &quot;A&quot; was wrong within fifteen seconds of sending the message.

I hadn't thought about Balducci's, which is also great, though further downtown than where we usually have stayed (73rd west of Broadway).

Tango - thanks for reporting back, I'm so glad you had such a great trip!